Particles of Literature

An evening with Jodi Picoult + David Maine

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dee) — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 19:30:00 -0400

The Bright Idea Conference did not fall with-in my schedule or means so in lieu I went to see author Jodi Picoult who was visiting West Michigan in March for the One Book One Community Program.

My first observation of the evening was those in attendance were 98% women. Where are the male readers? Don’t males enjoy reading dramatic books with modern themes? I guess that’s a question for someone other than me to answer. It was a large audience of approximately 600, at the West Shore Performing Arts Center in Holland.

Although the crowd was large and the author was somewhat funny, I wasn’t really that impressed. It was more of a commercial thing to sell her books than anything. I was looking forward to her talking about My Sister’s Keeper but she spent very little time on the feature novel, and more time on her other books, especially her newest release. I had no idea she had written so many other novels - 12 total. She also was not very accurate, in my opinion, when she was discussing Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, which she references for her next novel the 10th circle. She does have podcasts on her website. :o)

Overall I wasn't all that pleased with the driving all the way to Holland simply for a promotional event for the authors numerous novels. I did, however, enjoy reading My Sister’s Keeper. I doubt that I’ll be in line to get the rest of her books though. I have too many other works on my too be read list.

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I also started a new book discussion group at Extended Grace. The first book we chose was Fallen by David Maine.
Fallen is the story of Caine, Abel, Eve, and Adam in that order. The story is told backward leading us back to the place we all know - The Fall.

We were greatly surprised to be contacted by the author who offered to answer any questions we had. Since the author lives in Pakistan now in had to be handled through e-mail, but we're all about technology right? :o) His input really added more depth to our discussion. It can be found on our EG Book Club Blog

Speak #5 I Need A Nap

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dee) — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 15:30:00 -0400

Me: Dang another day of torture.
How many times do I have to draw a stupid tree?
I just don’t get it. I feel like I’m three.
Let me find a tree and torch it.

Let me go to my closet.
I need a nap.

I do kind of like art,
But who knows if I’ll grow up
I just move through the motions
I play my part.

Leave me alone.
I need a nap.

I’m soooo tired. I’m always tired.
I can hardly open my eyes
when I can I see things expired.
My eyes have no room for cries.

My closet’s the place for me.
I need a nap.
Don’t look at me.
I need a nap.

Speak #4 Losing and Finding Voice

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dee) — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 13:20:00 -0400

"It's easier not to say anything ... Nobody really wants to hear what you
have to say." (page 9)

I can really relate with Melinda and her inability to speak. I went through a large portion of my life without the ability to talk about what I was feeling or anything else in general. I cannot, however, pinpoint what took my voice away like the story did for Melinda. There are many reasons I lost my voice. The very stereotypical wicked step-father played a huge role in it. My mothers inability to talk to her five children could be another reason. I was also a middle child so it was easy to disappear. The number one culprit was teen-age alcohol and drug use.

I was always a shy kid, so I overcompensated with the friends I chose. I had big friends who could protect the small kid that I was. I had loud friends that drew attention away from me. It was easy to get lost in silence. By the time junior high-school happened all the friends, who I chose so carefully for protection, scattered and I found myself alone in my quite world. Eighth grade was torture for me someone started a rumor that my middle name was sucks (Dee sucks Cox). What thirteen year old could fight such a nasty thing? It only made me withdraw more from the world as I knew it.

When I tried alcohol for the first time I was in love. It made me feel free. It helped me talk to others. With the help of alcohol I could be who anyone else wanted me to be, but I could never myself. I knew I would never be accepted as myself.

I found it ironic that Melinda re-found her voice in the very same person that took it away. The thief of my voice wasn’t so easily identifiable so it took me years of struggle and slide to finally hit a bottom to where I could begin the trudge back to my voice. I remember the moment my voice returned like it was yesterday. It was 8-1/2 years ago. I sober for a short time and it was very first time I shared part of my story with another human being. It was a moment of freedom and release. It was at that moment I decided to share my story with anyone who would listen. If it helped one person, the life I’ve lived would be worth the pain.

Speak #3 Reviewing Reviewers

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dee) — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 11:10:00 -0400

I doubt this first reviewer even read the book. Nicole claims the book is boring and that there is no “mysterie”. She also claims it’s filled with a bunch of “bragging about teachers and friends,” another reason for me to believe that Nicole never read this book. Just from the few reviews that Nicole has written I conclude that she is so religious centered that anything she reads that has normal teenage behavior (drinking and swearing) and reality situations (depression and rape) she labels and boring. My review of Nicole's reveiw would be immature and unwilling to look at the reality of teen rape.

One of the more scathing reviews(scroll down to A Kids Review) comes from a seventh grader who was “forced” to read this book for class. This appears to be from a student who was shocked by the reality of the story, after all, teen rape happens every day. Apparently, the teacher did not adequately prepare these kids for the content of this novel. There really isn’t an easier way to discuss the reality of teen rape than to bring it out to the forefront. Horrified reactions should be expected. I think, however, the reaction would be less intense with more preparation.

For my last reviewer, I find it very interesting that a middle school media specialist is making it her personal mission to steer kids away from books she thinks inappropriate. I wonder what is her justification is to do this; because she is a librarian; or, because she thinks she knows what’s best for every kid in her middle school? Does she really think it’s appropriate to sweep the everyday horrors of growing up under the rug. Out of site, out of mind? It’s more of an impropriety to deny these kids the realness of the very books she has on her inappropriate list.

Speak #2 The Tree of She

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dee) — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 20:55:00 -0400

When I first read about Melinda’s year long art project focused one a tree, the tree pictured is what I imagined it would look like. The tree is all alone, desolate, and bare drowning in a river of tears.

After reading more I started seeing Melinda more like this tree; broken, a piece missing from her soul. Her other branch with sagging leaves reaching out to nothing. Beckoning for someone to notice, to see her pain, and ask why? A tiny puddle: representing the tears that will not come, the tears that would cleanse her inside and out.
The tears that would flow to her family and her former friends, touch them and help them see her once again.

Then again, after reaching then end I saw another picture. I see a picture of Melinda working on her tree; a tree that represents herself and her struggle to grow and find peace; a tree where she finds strength to stand up for her self and to let others see and believe; a tree that helps Melinda find her voice once again.

Speak #1 Acquintance Rape

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dee) — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 20:35:00 -0400

Being a victim of acquaintance rape puts the survivor in a very fragile place. While the victim may have feelings of guilt, thinking she brought it on herself, or fear many times it is not reported. Sometime they fail to label the act as rape. The statistics for acquaintance rape are astonishing. Melinda, the protagonist in Laura Halse Anderson’s novel Speak chose not to tell anyone what happened to her. In fact, she buried it deep with while not speaking to anyone. As a result, she suffered a terrible first year of high school, alone and scorned for calling the police during a drinking party.

Melinda parents are so far removed from her life they communicate with notes stuck on the counter, and hardly even notices she has gone mute. It’s no wonder Melinda chose to take the no speak route and hide away with her shame and fears. Without family and friends Melinda had to do the best she could with what she had. It’s amazing she didn’t end up a teenage self-medicated, suicidal mess.

Also, I agree 100% with what Erin shares in her first entry.

How I Will Run My Literature Classroom

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dee) — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 21:35:00 -0500

I plan on teaching Alternative Education, so when considering how I will run my Literature classroom I also need to consider each student and their needs. Alternative students generally fall through the cracks in traditional classrooms, which leads me to believe they need to be taught with less than traditional methods.

I have a very strong interest in integrating technology in my classrooms. When I have the resources I will join ISTE (International Society of Technology Education) to further my knowledge and gain new ideas. Also think I will employ Webquests in my lessons. I think webquests are interesting and a fun way for student to learn. I have every intention of using message boards and blogs. I believe anonymous (to other students) sharing on message-boards opens door for those who may be afraid to contribute in class. Blogs and pod-casts are fun, and interesting sources of contribution that I think would go over really well with alternative students. These methods may require extra monitoring but I think the worth out weighs the extra time needed.

Extra instruction of the technology will probably be a requirement. I have an above average proficiency with most of the technology, and I now have basic knowledge of pod-casts. I think the added instruction is crucial for the students. The students will absolutely need to know how to use these different methods of technology to advance themselves, just like literature helps the reader gain knowledge of themselves and the world around them.

I've also been thinking about vocabulary words. Rather than loading students down with a list to mine from reading material, I think I'd rather use a word-a-day type method. For example: I write the word and the definition on the board and challenge students to use the word throughout the day for points. Points can be earned for special treats like free book of choice, movie ticket, or lunch on the teacher.

I found out recently I’m going to put these idea into practice earlier than I thought. I recently got a job at the Muskegon YFCA. My boss asked me to also mentor and tutor the teens that hang around there. They are looking for someone who cares. I’m going to try get them interested in reading by approaching them with some of the YA books I’ve learned about throughout this semester. We are setting up a summer book club camp, among some other ideas. It’s bother exciting and frightening for me as my first experience influencing youth –other than my daughter.